St. Landry democrat., 1887-10-22
MOT$TACHE.
The Interesting History and Exploits of a
Brave French Dog.

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The Interesting History and Exploits of a
Brave French Dog.
In 1910 a young dog, which apparently
had no master, came no one knew how
to Caen, France, and met there a regi-
ment of grenaders starting for Italy.
Urged on, apparently by destiny, he fol-
lowed them. He was to all appearances
regular street cur, dirty and ugly, but
he had such bright expression, and
seemed so intelligent, that they did not
hesitate to take him. His new compan-
ions forced him to act as sentinel, to obey
orders, to keep step, to become accus-
toned to the sound of firearms, to obey
roll-call, and all other duties the soldiers
were called upon to perform. He re-
ceived and ate his rations with them, and
lived in every respect as his regiment
was commanded to do. In going to
Italy, Moustache crossed Saint Bernard
at the cost of unknown hardships, and
encamped with the regiment above
Alexandria, 1t was here that he
was to accomplish his first great feat
OF arms A detachment of Austrians
hidden in the Valley of Balbo advanced
in the night to surprise the grenadiers,
and was heard by the vigilant dog as he
was making his rounds. The soldiers
were awakened by his barking. In
moment every one was on foot and the
enemy dislodged To reward Moustache
the colonel had his name inscribed on the
regimental roll, and ordered that he
should have, every day, the rations of a
soldier. He ordered that there should be
hic rpaly on1lo boo bo
of the regiment, and the barber was
ordered to wash and comb him every
week
Some time afterward there was slight
engagement, in which Moustache CON
Quoted himself very bravely. He here
received his first wound-a bayonet
thrust in the shoulder. 1t must be said
here that Moustache was never wounded
except in front. About this time he
quarreled with the grenadiers and
deserted because they had left him
tied in the garrison. Taking refuge
with a company of chasseurs, he
saw disguised Austrian spy enter the
French camp. Moustache, forgetting the
insult he had received, welcomed the
stranger by springing at his throat with
much tierceness. This action astonished
all at first, but they had time for refec-
ton, and then remembered the sagactv
of the faithful dog. The stranger was
arrested, searched and found to be spy.
Moustache continued the series of his
exploits. At the battle of Austerlitz,
seeing the color-bearer surrounded by
enemies, he flew to his rescue defended
him as we'll as he could, and when the
soldier fell pierced with bullets, envel-
oped in his colors, Moustache seizing
witRhis teeth that part of the glorious flag
which he could get, fairly flew past the
enemy and brought back to his company
the blood-stained remnants. It must |
had taken off one of his legs. This |
beautiful action merited honor. They |
took off the collar he wore, and Marshal
Lannes ordered that they put on him a |
red ribbon, with copper medal bearing |
this inscription on one side: "He lost
leg at the battle of Austerlitz and saved
the colors of his regiment" On the
other side it read: 'Moustache should
be loved and honored as a brave French
dog"
AS 1t was easy to recognize him by his
ribbon and medal, they decided that in
whatever regiment he should be he
should receive the portion of soldier.
He took part yet in several battles, and
among others that of Essling, 1909. He
made with the dragons two campaigns,
and the brave dog fought every time he
had the opportunity. He always walked
in front on the alert, barking when he
heard any noise and could not find out
the cause. In the Sierra Morena Noun
tains he brought back to camp the
horse of dragoon who had been killed.
1t is said that at several times he
showed this same act of intelli-
gence. He made his last campaign with
the artillery, and was killed at the battle
of Badajoz March II, 1911, at the age of
twelve years. They buried him on the
spot where he fell, with his medal and
ribbon. On the stone which served as
his monument they wrote: Here lies
These simple words are
more eloquent than the most pompous
epitaph.